Hello,
Twenty one people attended the 15 April 2002 Patent Policy Working
Group (PPWG) three hour teleconference.
First discussed was the role of RAND (reasonable and
non-discriminatory) licensing in W3C's patent policy. The PPWG RAND
Task Force circulated a summary. Much seemed to depend on reaching
a definition of "core" Web technologies. A proposal emerged for a
formal RAND exception process.
Next, the Open Source/Free Software Task Force reported back to the
group. Four of the six members of the Task Force recommended adding
language for compatibility with the GPL to say that patent holders
might offer a license without field of use restriction. After some
discussion the Chair decided that the Task Force would look into
this further and report back again.
Finally, the group discussed dates for their next face to face
meeting in July, and their publication schedule and charter.
Best wishes,
--
Susan Lesch http://www.w3.org/People/Lesch/
mailto:lesch@w3.org tel:+1.858.483.4819
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) http://www.w3.org/